Centrifugal separating means



w W i M 7 m m M 3 SHEETSSHEET I CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATINGJMEANS.

ORIGINAL FILED 001'. I

mg, Wm.

Mn, m3. m a n R. E. LAPHAM. CENTRIFUGAL SEFARATING MEANS.

Omsmm. FILED OcT. I 1919. I 3 SHEETSSHEET 3 Patented Jan. 2?, lilfilii.

i it we is," t ill i i it.

CENTRI FUGAL SEPABA'IING MEANS.

Application filed October 1, 1919, Serial ITO/327,713. Renewed July 8, 1922. Serial No. 573,633

Toni/0107mm it may concern:

Be it known that l, RALPH E. LAPHAM, a citizen oi? the United States, residing at Oakland. in the county of Alameda and State or California, have invented certain newand useful improvements inCentritugal iieparatinp; Means, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention comprises certain novel improvements in centrifugal machines of the class designed for separating values of gold,

platinui'n, or the like, from sand, commonly lri'iowii as black sand, found on beaches and even inland from theseacoast, at many different places in this country.

The invention involves a type of maohine quite similar to that presented in my pending application Serial No. 102,533, filed June 8, 3916, which has eveiituatedyinto Pat ent No. 1,336,968, dated April 13, 1920, the

application and my presen invention utilizing a centrifugally op "erating bowl. over the inner wall of which 31 mobile separating medium, preferably mercury, is designed to flow in practice. The pulp or sand and waterto be operated on by the machine is supplied to the bowl and '52 ii-ied to travel in contact with the separating: medium so that the separating action ma be ei'ieotei'l. This separating action [ninth place incident to the moven'iei'it oil? the.

values, wljiich are of greater specific gravity than theyscparnting medium, through said medium, the residual ingredients of the pulp being oi? comparatively less specific gravity than the separating medium passing oil? in a properly directed course to a suitutilize novel means for regulating the quantityol mercury or separating medium supplied to thebowl in the operation of the latter.

lhe fore 'oinn to ether with other detail i t: v: '1

features of construction and operation will "be djully understood on reference -to the descrrptlon found hereinafter, 1n conp nct 'on end of e principal 'leaturi-is oi invention. in my .1 v "A ,I present niaolnne reside in certain special load with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of aseparati11;?11i:i(:l1i118 embodying the invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the bowl and bringing out more clearly the means whereby the separatingmedium becomes separated from the overlying residual portionsof the pulp obtained after the separation of the values therefrom;

Figure 3 is a plan view and part sectional view showing primarily the arrangement of the valve plate and the operating means by which it is adjusted.

Figure 4 is a combined fragmentary perspective view showing especially the lever andconnected parts of the valve operating means. I

Describing the invention specifically, my n'iiu-hine may comprise any suitable base A, with which is combined in any substantial manner a casing B, the latter enclosing the centriin 'ally operating bowl .1 oi. the sepa i inter. The bowl 1 is supported by an upper shaft 2, fitted solidly into the bowl, as shown at3, so as to rotate therewith. At itsupper end, the shaft 2, is mounted in abearing structure, shown at 4:, and comprised of obvious detail parts. At its lower portion, the bowl 1V is 'n'oviiled with a tubular exiLQIiSlOH l": in which isscrewed the upper a lower shaft 5, the lower end oi? shalt 5 being supported in a bearing structure 6 similar to the structure 1-, A pulley support and housing Tencloses the encased bearing structure 6, and a pulley 8 is mounted on the upper portion of said support, as seen best in. Figure The pulley 8 is freely supported by suitable bearings totravel at relatively 'h speed and a, coi or any equivalent spring 19 connects the pulley 8 with the portion 1% of the bowl 1. The

member 9 affords a non vibratory connection 1. The spring 9, oi? course, carries the rotatingr load but it will be evident that this is small once the bowl is placed inrotationl a As seen in Figure 1, a chute 10 leads through an "opening in the tdpof the "casing be separated, to the bowl 1.

B to a hopper ll and ailords a means of supp lying the pulp trom winch the values are to The pulp received by the hopper 11 passes out of the bottom of the hopper on to a bottom member- 12in the bowll, said bottom member being a sort of 'false bottom for the bowl and substantial] ,uite similar to the corresponding construction shown in and positioned in spaced relation to the outer wall proper of the bowl. The wall member 15 is equipped with the annular grooves or pockets 16, in which t-hevalues a intended to be caught during the centrifugal separating operation.

' Practically, at the top of the bowl is an annular mercury chamber 1'7, formed by an overflow rim 18,,securedby screws or like tastenmgs to the upper end of the bowl 1, said rim constituting an overflow rim {or the gangue as the'latter passes oil to the d18- charge launder 19. The rim 18 has an outward extension 20 .which curvesdownwardly and partially enters the launder 19. The discharg of the mercury chamber 17 is comprised ot' a ring 22, screwed onto the upper end of the wall [member 15 above described. The ring 22 has openings 28 therein, through which the mercury or separatii'ng;- medium may pass to an overflow reservoir 2 1', provided by the space between the ring; 22 and the member 15. In the overflow chamber 24, is an overflow rim 2.5 for the separating medium, said rim projecting inwardly to a given point determiningthe amount of the separating medium I which may be contained in the chamber 17. In otherwords, the location of ,the innermost portion of the rim for all practical purposes determines that the substantially perpendicular surface of the relativelyqiuescent body out mercury or separating medium in the chamber 1? will be ofactly oppositcsaid innermost portion ol the rim. It is notable in this connection that the gangue overflow rim 1S, n'ojects inwardlyto a slightly greater extent than does the rim 25.

The chamber 24: in communication with practically to the bottom of the bowl so as to conduct the separating medium back to the chamber or supply reservoir 18, as said sepfor the launder19 is designated 21 and 18 of known CODSUUCUOH. The bottom ii -m ca: end.

arating medium mov s gradually up over the surface 14:, and then outwards over the ring 12 and rim 25.

llhen the separating medium or mercury reaches the lower end of the passage or space 26, it is conducted by conveyors 27 of the screw type back into the reservoir 13. The convcy' crs 27 are mounted in tubular members 28, having openings leading downwards to the reservoir 13, and upwards for supplying the separatinp medium to the surface it ot the bowh under the control oi valve means to be shortly described. The conveyors 27 are carried by a shaft- 29, geared to a shaft 30, connected by bevel pinions with 31, to a stationary shaft 32. The rotation of the bowl carrying with it the shaft 29, in view of the stationary setting; ot the shaft 353,

readily effects the rotation of the sharlt 29.

Between the mercury reservoir 13 and the bottom member 12 are disposed valve (lo-- vices, comprising a circular valve 33. seen best in Figure 3. The valve 33 has openings 34 adapted to register with openings or ports 35 leading through a channel plate 36, suitably screwed to the wall member '15. (lbviously, turning of the valve 33 enables reg; istration to a greater or less extent of the openings 34 with the ports 35, and in (his way the quantity of the separating medium passing; from the chamber .13 upwnrd:-; to the wall 141: may be regulated.

Any suitable means may be cnmloycd to turn or adjust the vulre 33L that illustrated comprising: a stem 37 mounted in the upper s. aft 2 and having); a hand wheel 38 at its The lower end oi the stem is connected with the inner tor]: 01'' an angle lever 39, the outer torl: o't which. as seen best in Figure 1 engages one arm of a second angle lever 40 the other arm oi? said angle lever 40 engaging a shift lever ll, pivoted between its ends at 4-9- and having at its outer end a stud 43 adapted to engage the valve 33. These parts establish an micrativn connection between the valve 331 and the stem 37. The stem37hastlu'badcdconnection at 14; with the top housing); plate i5 ot the upper bear-in structure "l. so that by turning the steinv 31 it may be raised or lowered and movement imparted in this manner to the valve 33 through th intermediate connecting" parts just doscrilml.

.i'l. common method of balancing: (cutrll'w gal means ol' the type ol' (his invention is to displace a portion of the mclal comprisiing' the centri'lfnp ally moving; parts as by drilling holes in the heavy side ol the rotating; body. l: employ a unique method of accomplishing the balancing without having; i-ccourrc to the rather crude method just above referred to. Near the lower portion oi the bowl 11 l provide a balancing groove 16 which when empty would, of course be filled with the separatingmedium, whatever 1t may be, in

ning balance.

thc courseoi the operation oi the machiiue.

;lust above the hopper 1.1, I provide an OlldI'll) cup t'l',f01 catching,theoilthat may drip from thel'iearing structure 4;. The overflow rim is retained. in place in a seat at l the top of the wall proper oi the bowl '1 by means of the ring bumper as as a part of thebearinp; structure 4, for receirung and absorbing any lateral vibration incident to the high; speed action of the rotating bowl 1. The wall member 1130f the bowl 1, is preferablymade of a copper alloy for reasons presented more fully in my copending application aforesaid.

As to structure, I do not wish to be limited to the precise details oi. my machine as above disclosed, because they may be modified materially in the practical adaptation oi the invention under actual coi'iditions of service.

In the operation of n'iy 1nachine, the pulp supplied to the bowl 1 from the hopper 1.1.. is directed upwards to the mobile wa ll oi? mercury or separating medium, owing to the curved form of the bottom member 12. The

separating medium passes upwards over the inner surface of the wall member 15, being supplied by the ports35 underthe control oi the rotativc valve The movement oi theseparating medium or mercury, over the wall or surface 14:, is constant, said.medium taking-the "form oi a. thin mobile :iilm. [is the separating medium reaches a point opposite the annularchamber 17, it unites with the relatively large quiescent body of. mercur-y '111 said chamber, thereby separatlng from all material of a specific gravity less than the mercury. The overlying material comprisinglargely sand and water with the 'alues separated the efrom and rec .ived in the pockets l6, floats acr the substantially quiescent body of mercury in the chamber 17', and is forced over the overflow rim 19 by the force gained by the said overlying ma terials as they pass over the cmrved portion of the ring 22. The overflow rim 18 is of larger diameter than the wall 14; before de scribed, and on this account the overlying materials, primarily sand, moving upward on the inner face of the separtimg; medium are permitted to assume suilicient thickness to pass over the rim 18 without interfering in any way with the upward movement of I, utilize a rubber the face of the mercu preventing the latter fremescaping over the i'im lmtallowing the sand and water to pass over "very readily. The surface of the mer cury in the chamber 17 is maintained in proper relation to the inner edge of the rim 18 by the mercury overflow rim 25, which 1 the separating medium and residual pulp relatively to the wall 14:. The materials passover the well i l at a certain thickness or depth until-they reach the curve oi the ring 22, whereupon they thin out, so to speak,

owing to an increased speed. of movement, until they reach the practically pe pendicular surface of the mercury in the chamber 17. Not only do the residual materials of the pulp thin out as above described, but this is true respectlngr the mercury or film of separatlng medium, the latter being in amalgamated contact with the wall member 1.5 (it the bowl and tending to adhere thereto until. it reaches the mercury in the chaujiber .l'i', whereupon it unites therewith separated from the (.iverlying materials. The rim 18 extends inwardly a very small distance from in the chamber 17,

projects inwardly to a point where it maintwins the relation atoresaid. Tliesaid rim 25 is so located in its innermost portion that the mercury constantly supplied to the substantially quiescent body of mercury in the chamber 1:. will pass out of the chamber through the openings 23, over the rim 25, and down the passagreQG; Under these conditions,no portion of the separating medium is lost by overflowing over the rim 1.8.

Having thus described myinvention what I claim as new is: l

1. in a centrifugal separating machine, thecombination of a rotating bowl, a reservoir for a separating medium locatedat the bottom ofsaid bowl, a wall member arranged in the bowl so that its inner surface may be supplied with a separating medium from voir for a separatingmedium located at the bottom oi. said bowl, a wall member arranged in the bowl so that its inner surface may be supplied. with a separatuu, medium from said reservoir, means for conducting I the separating); n'iedium from the inner surface of the wall member between the wall member and the bowl and back to the reservoir, means for supplying pulp tothe bowl and directing the same over the inner surface of said wall member, and means for regrdating the flow of the separating medium from the reservoir to the inner surface of the wall member, in which the flow regulating means comprises a valve controlling the flow of the separating medium from the reservoir to the inner surface of the wall member.

3. Means substantially as claimed in claim 2, in which the flow regulating means comprises a valve controlling the flow of the separating medium from the reservoir, to the inner surface of the wall member.

4. Means substantially as claimed in claim 2, combined with a conveyer adapted to move the separating medium from between the wall member and the bowl back to the reservoir.

5. In a centrifugal separating machine, the combination of bowl and means for rotating the same, said bowl comprising a member equipped with values receiving pockets, means for supplying a mobile separating medium to the wall member comprising a reservoir for the separating medium, and valve means intermediate said reservoir and a wall member, and means to supply pulp containing values to the bowl.

6. A machine substantially as claimed in claim 5, combined with means to conduct the separating medium back to the reservoir after it has passed over the wall member,

- and including a conveyor operating incident to themovement of the bowl.

7. A machine substantially as claimed in claim 5, combined with operating mechanism for the valve means leading to a point exterior to the bowl.

8. A machine substantially as claimed in claim 5, wherein the axis of the bowl is a separating shaft, combined with operating means for the valvemeans, said operating means being mounted in said shaft and connected with the valve means.

9. A machine substantially as claimed in 4 claim 5, wherein the axis of the bowl is a separating shaft, combined with operating means for the valve means, said operating means comprising an operating stem mounted in said shaft, and a system of levers connected with said stem, and connected with the valve means.

10. In a centrifugal separating machine, a rotative bowl comprising a wall, means for supplying a separating medium to pass over said wall in the form of a mobile separating film, a chamber at the delivery end of said wall adapted to receive the separating medium after it has passed over the *all, means for supplying pulp to the bowl and directing it against the separating medium so as to flow in the same direction as the latter, and having an outwardly and downwardly inclined under side forming the upper side of said chai .her, an overflow rim for the residuum of the pulp after the values have been separated so arranged relatively to the wall aforesaid that the residuum will overflow thereover, a passage comnnmicating with said chamber to receive the separating medium passing into the chamber from the wall. and an overflow rim for said separating medium adapted to maintain the surface of the separating medium in said chamber in such a manner as to prevent passing oil of the separating medium with the residuum pulp.

11. In a centrifgal separating machine, a rotative bowl comprising a wall, means for supplying a separating medium to pass over said wall in a form of a mobile separating film. a chamber at the delivery end of said wall adapted to receive the separating mednnn after ishas passed over the wall, means for supplying pulp to the bowl and direct ing it against the separating medium so as to flow in the same direction as the latter, and an overflow rim for the residuum of the pulp after the values have been separated so arranged re atively to the wall aforesaid that the residuum will overflow thereover, a passage con'inninicating with said chamber to receive therefrom a portion of the separating medium equal to the quantity entering the chamber incident to the movenmnt of the separating medium over the wall, and the second overflow rim intermediate said passage and said chamber, and so arranged relative to the first overflow rim as to prevent the passage of the separating medium off over the latter.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

RALPH E. LAPHAM. 

